This August marks the 27th year of the event, which has raised more than $30 million since 1988. The weekend kicks off early with the Picnic & Barrel Auctionat Chateau Ste. Michelleon Aug. 14, beginning at 4 p.m. We have attended the picnic for the last few years, and always have such a good time tasting the fine wines of Washington state, talking to winemakers and bidding on some futures.

And what would a picnic be without great bites? Chefs from the Tulalip Resort Casino will provide gourmet fare to pair with the wine, including tents devoted to cheese and a themed dessert station.

Other AWW weekend events:

Winemaker Dinner Series: Friday, August 15
In one evening, 10 dinners featuring winemakers will take place at private locations around the Puget Sound. Enjoy a gourmet meal created by a guest chef paired with fabulous Washington wine.

Columbia Winery Charity 10K Race and 5K Run/Walk: Sat. August 16
The Columbia Winery Charity 10K Race and 5K Run/Walk & Kids Dash (formerly the Covey Run) provides fun for the whole family through a scenic course through the heart of Woodinville wine country. The event will also feature food, beverages, kids’ activities, music and more.

The Wine Gala: Saturday, August 16, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
A featured Washington State winemaker will be seated at every table.

Earlier this year, at Taste Washington, we named Double Canyon’s 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, from Phinny Hill Vineyard, in our top three favorite wines.

At that time, we met new winemaker Jason Ledbetter, who had just come to Double Canyon from Pine Ridge Vineyards, Trefethen Vineyards and Cakebread Cellars in Napa.

We could tell immediately that Jason had a passion for appellation-focused estate wine, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which is Double Canyon’s focus. In the months since then, he has frequently referred to Horse Heaven Hills as “a special place” and a leading area to produce Cabernet in Washington state.

One week ago, Double Canyon released its 2012 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. In Jason’s words, “Classic wines from this appellation are lauded for their exceptional balance and acidity, and this wine is no exception.”

We can attest to this, and we are sure that our appreciation of this wine will be echoed by those who taste it. Obviously the wine is young, just released last week. But yes, it definitely rocked with potential. And after decanting it for a couple of hours, it paired very nicely with BBQ steak.

From the tasting notes:

“Luminous and dark purple in hue, this wine delivers a rich fruit and floral fragrance accented by an exotic vanilla spice. The palate opens with soft, rich flavors of bright red plum and dried red cherry accented by black tea leaf and fresh vanilla bean. The texture is smooth and luscious, and the wine’s balance and mouthwatering acidity make for a classic Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet.”

This 2012 wine is sourced from grapes at three well-known vineyards. Almost a quarter comes from the winery’s estate Double Canyon Vineyard, with the remainder sourced from Phinny Hill Vineyard, which is located across from Double Canyon and owned by vineyard manager Will Beightol’s family, and Zephyr Ridge, which Beightol previously managed.

We were fortunate to attend the John Legend “All of Me” concert on June 28 and had a fabulous time. His music was as phenomenal as expected, and he entertained a rapt audience with funny stories in addition to sultry tunes.

Thanks for inviting us to be your guests, Chateau Ste. Michelle. There are many reasons why your winery is considered one of Seattle’s top summer concert venues, and why this series has been a winner since it was first introduced in 1984.